AI upscaling explained: the secret sauce boosting GPU and console performance

AI upscaling has quickly become an underpinning of modern gaming. It’s not exactly new, but with consoles now adopting the same tech used to boost fps as contemporary graphics cards, you’ll no doubt be wondering how tools like Nvidia DLSS, AMD FidelityFX, and the PS5 Pro’s PSSR actually enhance performance in your favorite games. and I’ve got a breakdown that will help explain it all.

The term AI upscaling is commonly used to describe a feature that uses machine learning and algorithms to enhance visuals. The best graphics cards, laptops with mobile GPUs, gaming handhelds, and new consoles have the ability to do this in real time. The device runs a game at a lower resolution and then uses AI to artificially bolster its visual fidelity, masking the appearance of lower res textures and objects.